Earth Movement and Roof Work | Our Big Italian Adventure

Making the Hill Less Steep in Front
Click image to enlarge

Moving an Olive Tree
Click image to enlarge

Beam Across Portico Columns
Click image to enlarge

Cement for Roof on top of Poroton — Cement for Roof on Top of Poroton
Click image to enlarge

Work is continuing to try to address that bugaboo land slope issue. Kevin reports that the situation seems much improved. It’s almost impossible to tell from pictures, as we can’t assess the steepness of the slopes or the width of the land terraces very well. However, it looks better in front of the house, but I’m not yet sure if they are building land terraces with a descending path at one side or with a path that “snakes” across the slope.

As part of this work, they’ve needed to relocate some olive trees from the front of the house. They are supposed to be very hardy, but on our last visit I noted a few transplants that looked pretty sickly. We will hope for the best.

Since the portico columns are now built and faced with stone and brick, they are adding the beams to support the roof. The main cross beams and the side beam are in place. Next should come some cross beams and the support structure for the roof.

Also, they are working on building the top floor terrazza and the small roof sections that cover the ground floor areas that aren’t under the main roof. There is also a “false” peaked roof that is above the flat ceiling in the kitchen. The construction of these roof sections is just like that of the main roof: Poroton blocks, rebar, and concrete.

Here’s the whole photo album.